What is power of attorney?

In the city of Atlanta, a power of attorney is a legal contract that gives a person the right to make decisions for another. Powers of attorney are typically granted when a child or other relative seeks to take over the care of a family member that is ill or otherwise incapable of making proper decisions.

There are several types of power of attorney that may be enacted. These include a general power of attorney, special power of attorney, and durable power of attorney. There is also what is known as a health care power of attorney, and these are what are typically used in hospitals, nursing home and extended care facilities.

A health care power of attorney allows a person to make medical decisions for an ill person. These are granted when the patient is unconscious, mentally incompetent or deemed otherwise unable to make necessary health care decisions on their own. Healthcare power of attorneys are not the same as living wills. In some states, a healthcare power of attorney can be combined in some manner with living wills in order for family members to make the best decisions for their loved one.

A power of attorney should be written with the guidance of an experienced lawyer. While these documents are not generally difficult to write, they do need to have special wording and contain legal jargon that may be difficult to understand. An experienced attorney can assist people in writing powers of attorney that will be legally enforced by a court of law.